Concrete-distributing machine



J. F. ROBB.

CONCRETE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG, I1, 1916.

Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

7SHEETSSHEET l.

awn/neg J. F; ROBB.

CONGRETE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.H, I9I6.

1,370,497, Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

7 SHEETSSHEET 2- avwewtoz CONCRETE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. :1, 1916.

1 ,370,497. Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

7 SHEETSSHEET 3- J. F. ROBB. CONCRETE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.II, 1916. 1,370,497, Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

YSHEETS-SHEET 4.

almanac 1. F. ROBB.

CONCRETE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. II, 1916.

Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

7 SHEETSSHEEI 5.

\ mmmm a? Z r J. F. ROBB.

CONCRETE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 'Aue.t1, 1916.

Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

YSHEETS-SHEET J. F. ROBB.

CONCRETE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

Patented Man 1, 1921.

7SH EET$SHEET I.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. ROBB. OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO KOEHRINGMACHINE COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar, 1, 1921.

Application filed August 11, 1916. Serial No. 114,481.

T 0 all whom, it may concern;

Be it known that I, JOHN F. 130%, a citizen of the United States,residing at \Vashington, in the District of Columbia, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Concrete-Distributing Machines,of which the following is a specification.

This invention involves improvements relating to concrete mixing andconcrete d1s tributing machines.

In so far as the invention appertains to mixing machines generally, itmay be noted that it is becoming well known today that in mixingaggregates such as cement, sand, and gravel, ordinarily called concrete,safe and permanent construction with such aggregates demands thatcertain precautions be positively insured in the mixing operations.Among these precautions I mention especially those requiring that theaggregates be mixed a predetermined required minimum period, that properproportions of such aggregates and water be employed, and the preventionof additions to the aggregates previous to their complete admixture andremovalfrom the machine. In my application Serial Number 91754 filed May1, 1916, I have described certain novel means to avoid possibility of anoperator of a mixer interfering, by negligence or for purposes of fraud,witlrthe proper and complete admixture of concrete aggregates placed inthe mixer by causing the loading device for the mixer to be actuated toadd fresh aggregates to those in the mixer previous to completion of themixing operation.

One feature of my present invention, therefore, is a continuation of theinvention above referred to by so organizing the common mixing,charging, and discharging instrumentalit-ies of such machines that theaction of the loading or charging means is controlled directly by thedischarging means. The controlling relation mentioned necessi tates thatthe discharge device of my improved machine shall not only be actuatedbefore a new charge of materials can be introduced into the mixer but itmust actually wholly discharge the mixer before recharging is possible.I therefore claim as broadly new in this invention provisions forcompelling the emptying of mixed materials from a mixer previous torecharging of the same by whatever suitable charging instrumentality maybe employed. In my former invention above mentioned while rechargingprior to completion of required time of admixture is provided against,the emptying of the mixer is not compelled though ordinarily it wouldtake place if the operator properly adjusts the discharge means.However, the foregoing suggested improvements, and others now to bebriefly set forth, are intended to absolutely insure that apredetermined required treatment of concrete aggregates in process ofmixing shall be erormed, nothing being left to the imagination, or tochance, as regards what happened 1n the use of the mixing machineoperating on the aggregates, and all this being conducive to that highstandard of concrete mixing which skilled engineering makes needful inthe interest of safe and sane construction.

Passing to a second phase of the present invention, United States PatentNo. 1,141,470 issued June 1st, 1916, to E. H. Lichtenberg exemplifies atype of concrete mixing and distributing machine known as the Koehringpaver, used largely in commercial practice today, and to which myimprovements I by which the functioning of the several mechanisms, aboutmentioned as manually controlled, are coordinated to the extent thatwith the exception of the skip controlling device they are renderedinterdependent and operated automatically in proper order practicallyunder the control of a single means, namely, the actuator that causesloading of the mixer at the outstart. Thus, it is that owing to thecoordination of the mechanisms referred to, once the operator mixer andduring mixing and emptying the skip cannot be raised to recharge. Whenthe contents of the mixer have been emptied therefrom certain clutchmechanisms are set to work and the distributing bucket, whlch has beenfilled by said discharge, is thereby caused to move out on its boomuntil automatically opened and dumped. The bucket after dumplng isautomatically returned to the mixer and automatically stopped adjacentto the discharge ready to receive another load for distribution. Theoperation of the discharge to empty the mixer controls the release ofcertain means that locks the manual device by which the loading skip israised; Thus a certain required time having elapsed after the dischargeis actuated (namely that period necessary for complete emptying of thedrum) the manual device is unlocked automatically and the operator isfree to actuate it so as to recharge the mixer and by so doing thedischarge (chute) is restored to a normal position wherein itsdischarging. action ceases. A new cycle of operation like that justdescribed is-now commenced." With my invention the operator of themachine has but one thing to do,

namely, to load or charge the mixer, so that the advantages of theinvention are quite obvious.

The particular charging, discharging, and mixing devices used for theadaptation of my invention as shown are inconsequential since anysuitable construction of such devices havin broadly equivalent functionsare contemp ated to be used. In so far as I am advised, furthermore, itis broadly new .to employ combinatively for coordinated automatic actionthe various mechanisms of a mixing and distributing machine operablesubstantially in accordance with the cycle of operation above set forth,or'even operable according to portions of such cycle.

In the accompanying drawings?- Figure 1 is a side'elevation, partlybroken away, of a concrete mixing and distributing machine having theimprovements of the present invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the boom of themachine looking toward the clutch and general control devices ad acentto the inner end of the boom, a porthe idistributin tion of thecontrollin cables being broken away to more fully ilustrate adjacentoperating parts.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in side elevation ShOWlIlg more particularlythe controlling instrumentalities at the inner end of the boom andlooking at the machine from the side opposite'that illustrated in Fig.1.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken about on the line 4-4 ofFig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken about on the line 5 5 ofFig. 6.

Fig. 6 is a view with some parts in elevation and some arts in section,bringing out more fully the operating and release means for thedischarge chute and the actuating connections for shifting .the clutchmechanism for controlling the operation of bucket.

Fig. 7 is an en arged fragmentary and sectional view of the locking andrelease means for the anism.

Fig. 8 is a section taken about on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

= Fig. 9 is a view of the time controlled governor mechanism, the frontplate of the casing inclosing the main parts of said mechanism omitted.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view partly in section showing certain parts ofthe clutch shifting mechanism.

Fig. 11 isa view partly in side elevation discharge chute and clutchmechand partly in section showing more especially the controlling partsintermediate the discharge chute and the clutch operating lever by whichthe loading skip or charging means is actuated.

Fig. 12 is a view showing-more particularlythe lock actuating and fullstroke compelling means for the Skip controlling lever.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view about on the line 13-13 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view bringing out more clearly the arrangementof the clutch operating abutments mounted on the boom of the machine.

Fig. 15 is a view representative in a somewhat diagrammatic manner ofthe operating connections intermediate the three armed lever, which isadapted to be tripped by the loading skip, and the timing mechanism aswell as the discharge chute actuating shaft.

Gencml constmctim and arrangement of mckanisms of the machmc.

Fig. 1 illustrates a mixing and distributing machine wherein the variousoperating and controlling instrumentalities used for the purposes of theinvention are illustrated without details. The machine shown is of thegeneral type set forth inUnited States Letters Patent to E. H.Lichtenberg No. 1,141,470 patented Junel, 1915, and No.

1,185,416 patented May 30, 1916, which machine comprises essentially amixer in the form of a drum A, loading or charging means for the mixercomprising the skip B, discharging means for the mixer including thedischarge chute C operating in a well known manner, preferably of thetype shown in Letters Patent No. 899,414 issued Sept. 22, 1908, anddistributing means for carrying off and depositing the materials discharged by the chute C including the boom D and the bucket E adapted totraverse said boom.

The various devices A, B and E are intended to be operated by a suitablemotor F carried by the truck G which forms the portable base of themachine, operative connections being established between the motor andthe skip B by driving connections such as illustrated in United Statespatent to P. A. Koehring No. 1,107,171 patented August 11, 1914, saiddriving connections including suitable clutch means for controlling theraising and lowering of the skip B which clutch means in turn iscontrolled by the lever 1. The bucket E is intended to be moved back andforth on the boom D by cable means connected with trip mechanism on thecarriage H which supports said bucket, and which trip mechanism asillustrated is substantially that shown in Patent No. 1,185,416previously referred to. Said trip mechanism is intended to dump thebucket E by opening its bottom doors as an incident to stopping of thecable'2 during the outward movement of the cable, said doors beingrestored to closed positions when the bucket E is returned to a pointadjacent the mixer A by stopping the cable 2 properly, or by means ofthe provision of a cam 3 on the boom D, see Fig. 3, which cam isengageable with a restoring arm 4 for normalizing the trip mechanism andthereby closing the doors of the bucket E.

In view of the detail disclosures found in the various patentspreviously referred to it is deemed unnecessary to recite in detail theaction of the general mechanism'of the machine except as modifiedsomewhat with a View to adapting the same to the improve-- ments of thisinvention. It may be noted, however, that the aggregates to be mixed aredumped into the skip or charging device B, are elevated by said deviceand discharged into the constantly rotating drum or mixer A, aredischarged from said mixer A by the chute G into the bucket E, and areconveyed by the bucket E to a suitable point of deposit where they areautomatically discharged from the bucket in the well known manner.

tially the order in which said improvements, or the mechanisms in whichthey a e incorporated, are brought into play in what may he considered acomplete cycle of operation of the machine from the time of loading theskip B to the time of discharge of the bucket E and the return of saidbucket to the mixer ready for another load.

Charging device and mixture time control- Zmg mechanism.

The charging device or skip B is adapted to be raised when loaded byoperating the clutch lever 1, as by moving the latter to the right tothrow in a clutch which trans mits motion to a drum 5, see Fig. 1, whichdrum is opcratively connected by cable means 6 and 7, directly with theskip l3. As the skip B reaches the dotted line charging position of Fig.1, the materials in the skip gravitate into the mixer A and the saidaction likewise results in a tripping of the three armed lever 8 mountedon the framework of the machine, said lever 8 being connected by a rod 9with a lever 10. The lever 10 is connected with a rod 11, see Fig. 9,forming a part of the mixture time con trolling mechanism, said rod 11being encircled by a spring 12 disposed in a casing 13 through which therod operates. ()n the rod 11 is a projection 14 adapted to be engaged byand to move a lever 15. Vhen the lever 8 is tripped by the engagingaction of the skip B-the engagement of lever 15 with the projection 14holds the rod 11 uplifted. against the tension of the spring 12 and themovement of the lever 15 exerts a pull on a link 16 connected therewithwhereby to shift a bell crank lever 17, the latter being connected witha bar 18 on which is mounted to slide a toothed timing member 19.Normally a spring 20 coacting with the lever 15 and the projection 14downwardly bearing on the right hand end of the bar 18 holds the member19 with its teeth disengagedfrom the worm 20 carried by a shaft 21,which worm is constantly driven through connecting bevel gears 22 and23, the former on the shaft 21 and the latter on a shaft 24. The shaft24 has a spur gear 25 meshing with one of the gear rings 26 surroundingthe drum or mixer A, the parts 21, 22', 23, 24 and 25 being thus drivenfrom the mixer.

In the casing 13 also is a dog 27 pivoted to a lever 28 which lever isconnected by a link 29, the lower end of which, see Figs. 6, 7 and 8 isattached to a pivoted catch 30. The catch 30 engages a stud 31 on alever 32 carried by the shaft 33 by which the discharge chute C isactuated. Said shaft 33, see Fig. 11, has arms 34 connected by links 35with arms 36 pivoted at 37 to brackets 38 projecting into the mixer A,the chute C being directly supported by the arms 36 .tion of the lever 8by the skip and tilted from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 11to the discharge position in which it is shown in Fig. 1 by a rockingmovement of the shaft 33.-

The upward movement of the projection 14 with the rod 11 as caused b theactuaresults in pushing outward of the dog 27 without afecting theaction of the lever 28 and the rod 29, due to the fact that theprojection 14 freely slides past the dog, the latter 'elding sidewise topermit this action. It ing understood that the aggregates have beenreceived 1) the mixer A and are being mixed, an the rojection 14 hascaused the timing mem r 19 to engage the worm 20, saidworm 20 will causethe timing member to move toward the outer'end o the bar 18, and thetime required forthe adjustable tripping arm 39 on the timingmember 19to move against the'lower end of the lever 15 represents therequiredperiod for effect ing a thorough admixture of the materials inthe mixer.

The general operation of the timing mech-.

anism is similar to a corres onding mechanism presented in theappllcation for patent of H. A. Trester, Serial Number 89,312, filedApril 6,1916. When the arm 39 coacts' with the lower end of the lever 15the upper end of said lever is withdrawn from engagement with theprojection 14 whereupon the latter with the rod 11 is forced downward bythe spring 12. As the projection 14 moves downward the heel or outermostportion of the same engages a shoulder on the dog 27 and shifts thelatter downward tilting the lever 28 and raising the rod 29. The upwardmovement of the rod 29 pulls the catch 30 from engagement with the stud31, see Figs. 6 and 7, whereupon the discharge means or chute C isautomatically released and shifted to its discharge position by means ofa spring 40 connected with the shaft 33 by which the chute C isactuated. The spring 40 may be of any suitable type and any equivalentdevice may be used in lieu thereof. The action of the spring, however,is to automatically rock the shaft 33 and force the chute C to itsdischarge position. This action takes place immediately upon theconclusion of the timing movement of the timing member 19 as caused bythe worm 20 seen in-Fig. 9.

It may be noted also that the downward V restoring movement of theprojection 14 on A the rod 11 restores the parts 10, 9 and 8 to theirnormal positions. The projection 14 itself strikes the adjacent end ofthe bar 18 and lowers the same. The spring 20 forces the lever 15outward at its upper end, shifts the link 16 and lever 17 and lowers theinner end of the bar 18 whereby the timing memthat the upward movementof- Automatic bucket operating mechanism.

The cycle of operation of the machine involves movement of the chute Cto non-discharging position as the ski B is elevated, a subsequentmovement of tlie chute to discharge osition, a complete movement ofthebucket (outward and return), and the return of the skip to loweredposition.

Actuating' means for certain clutch mechanism is set into operationcoincident with the release and movement of the discharge chute C to itsdischarge position for the purpose of compelling movement of the bucket..1

Referring particularly to Figs. 4,6, 7, 8

K and 10, it will be observed from Figs. 6 and 7 that the lever 32 onthe rocking shaft 33 which operates the discharge chute C has a cam 32which cam moves in an are along with the lever 32, when said lever isreleased from the catch 30. The release of the lever 32 takes place, ofcourse, at the completion of the time of mixing required for the batchof materials in the mixer A and the materials passed through the chute Ginto the bucket E normally beneath the chute and ready to receive saidmaterials. The clutch mechanism controlling the movement of the bucket Eis similar to that I shown in Letters Patent to P. A. Koehring,

Reissue Number 13,617, reissued September 16, 1913, and comprises clutchdevices 57 and 58 capable of connecting gears 59 and 60 respectivelywith a drum shaft 61, the latter supporting a drum 62 about which acable 63 passes. The gears 59 and 60 are constantly driven inoppositedirections by a corresponding bevel gear '64 supported by a shaft 65seen'in Fig. 3, which shaft 65 has a spur gear 66 meshing with one ofthe gear rings surrounding the mixer drum A. The drum 62 being on theshaft 61 it will be evident that by actuating the clutches 57 and 58under proper control the drum 62 may be driven in opposite directionsand correspondingly drive the cable 63 whereby to move the bucket Eoutward and inward with its supporting carriage H traversing the boom D.

The movement of the shaft 33 is utilized to throw in the clutch means 58to operatively connect the gear 60 with the shaft 61 and rotate the drum62 in such a manner as to carry the bucket E outward on the boom D. Themeans for doing this includes the III a roller 67 on the lowerend of apull 'rod 68, see Figs. 6, 7 and 8, as the chute C tilts over to itsdischarge position. The pull rod 68 in the above action places a spring69 attached to its upper end'under tension, said spring being connectedto the. rod 70 of the .piston 71 in the cylinder 72, said partsconstituting an ordinary dash pot. By placing the spring 69 undertension said spring has energy stored up therein exerting a downwardpull on the piston 71 and the latter moves downwardly slowly as the airescapes from the lower end of the cylinder 72, the tension of the spring6.9 being temporarily maintained owing to the fact that a bolt 73,

see Fig. 7, engages a catch 74 on the rod 68 and holds said rod down forthe time being after it has been actuated by the cam 32. The piston 71is connected by a rod 75 with a lever 76 which in turn is connected by abar. 77 attached to a lever 78, see Figs. 1 and 6. The lever 78 isadapted to move the pivoted lever 79 connected through a shifting bar100 with a corresponding lever 80 adapted to shift the clutch device 58so as to connect the gear 60 with the shaft 61 and thereby effecting themovement of the cable 63 to carry the bucket E toward the outer end ofthe boom.- The dash pot arrangement 7l-72 is a delayed movementconnection between the shaft 33 and the clutch operating levers 79 and80 whereby the operation of the clutch 58 does not take place untilsufiicient time has elapsed for the chute C to discharge the contents ofthe mixer A into the bucket E. In other Words it takes the piston 71 atime equivalent to that required to discharge the mixer, in order tomove far enough -to throw the clutch device 58 to cause outward travelof the then loaded bucket E, as now to be set forth. hen such time haselapsed the lever 78 shifts the clutch device 58 to connect the parts 60and 61, whereupon the motion of the shaft 61 is communicated to thecable 63 andthe bucket E carried outward on the boom D. Later on whenthe chute C is restored to normal non-discharging position bvreturnmovement of the lever 32. the stud of said lever 32 raises the catch 30slightly and thereby tilts an angle lever 81, an arm of which engagesthe 'top of the catch; said angle lever pulling the bolt 73 out ofengagement from the catch 74 on the rod 68 and thereby permitting saidrod to move upward under the action of a spring 82 connected with thelever 76, which spring is adapted to quickly normalize the parts 68, 69,70, 71, 75, 76, 77 and 78. The spring 82 will move the piston 71 upwardquite quickly once the bolt 73 releases the rod 68 as an air cushion isnot formed at the upper side of said piston. A suitable oil containeddash-pot mechanism may be used in lieu of the parts just mentioned if dsi d,

j Automat-ic dumping of m distributing bucket.

inner abutment 84 and an outer abutment 85.

These abutments 84 and 85 are so located thatthe supporting. frame ofthe trolley H is adapted to strike the abutments for the purpose ofshifting the same relatively to the guide bar 83. shifting rod 86 ispreferably permanently connected with the inner-abutment 84: by means ofa set screw 84 on the latter and said rod is adjustably connected withthe outer abutment 85 by means of a cam locking device 87 whereby saidabutment 85 may be. connected positively with. the rod 86- but theconnection established at any desired point in the length of the rod.

At the inner end of the boom D the rod 86 is connected to a shiftingslide 88, see,

Fig. 6, said slide having a curved slot 88' receiving a stud 89 on ayoke 90. The yoke 90 is guided at its lower end by a guide member 91 ona pivoted supporting bracket D with which the boom D is connected, andat its upper end the yoke is connected by a stem 92 passing through aguide bracket 93 on the framework of the machine, with an arm 94 offrame-like form. The arm 94, see Figs. 6 and 10, is secured at its innerend to a vertical cam and latch bar 95, the latter being guided forvertical movement by members 96 on the bracket 93. Furthermore, a spring97 normally tends to hold the upper cam head 98 of the bar in engagementwith a projection 99 on a shifting bar 100 which is attached at itsopposite ends to the lower ends of the clutch operating levers 79 and80. The shifting bar 100 has a -frame-like extension 100 projecting fromits under side and a handle 101 susceptible of manual operation foremergency or other special purposes extends downward from said part100*. On the frame-like extension 100 is a yielding stem 102 having aroller 103 adapted to engage'astud of the bar 95 gs well as engage thecam head 98 of said It being recalled that the last step in theoperation of the machine was the effecting of the outward haul of thebucket E along the boom D, it may be noted that as the bucket travels inthe direction of the outer end of the boom one of the outermost endportions of the trolley H will ultimately strike the outer abutment 85and slide said abutment .on the member 83, thereby .exerting a pulloutward on the shifting rod 86 which is connected with the slide 88.Said outward pull on the slide 88 through the provision of the slot 88'and projection 89,

pulled downward andlikewise the arm 94 and locking and latch bar 95'. Itshould be understood that when the clutch device 58 was actuated by thelever; 7 9' to connect the ar 60 with the shaft 61 to] move the bucketoutward on the boom the bar 95 was held with the clutch device 57 in itsoperated position owing, to the engagement of the bar 95 with .theshorter ,'wall of the projectionobtain the engagement referred to inreference to the-parts 98 and 99.,

Reverting now tothe action of the slide 88 in pulling downward on the.parts 90,

92, 94 and 95, it'will be apparent that said action by disengagement ofthe parts 98 and 99 releases the bar 100 and permits equalizing springs104, seen best in Fig. 4, to carry the bar 100 to a. mid positionwherein the clutch devices 57 and 58 are inoperative.

- The action of the springs 104 'which are.

mounted in a bracket 105 on the framework of the machine, is toco5perate directly with an arm 106 projecting between the springs andfixed tQthB shifting bar 100. The slide 88 not/only disengages the camand latch bar 95 from the projection 99 of the shifting bar 100 wherebyto neutralize the clutch mechanism so to speak, but after the bar 95 isdisengaged from the projection 99 the cam head 98 moves downwardsufliciently to coact with the roller '103 and part 102 to shift the bar100 in a direction opposite to that in which it .wasshifted earlier bythe lever 78. This opposite shifting of the bar 100 moves the bar. adistance sufiicient to cause the clutch device 57 to connect the gear 59with the shaft 61, thereby reversing the rotation of the drum 62. so asto correspondingly reverse the movement of the cable 63 and bucket E.iThe moment the movement of the cable 63 is stopped and reversed tocause inward haul on the bucket E the trip mechanism 4 carried by thecarriage or trolley H and connected with the doors of the bucket in themanner shown in. Patent No. 1,185,416, is tripped automatically and thecontents of the bucket are dumped. Immediately following the dumping ofthe bucket E the same is carried inward toward the mixer A in thecustomary manner.

Stopping of the distributing bucket at the mixer.

The distributing bucket E now traveling inward toward the mixer A againactuates the shifting rod 86 by abutment of an inner end portion of thecarriage 8 with the the bar 46 uncle opposite or inward directionwhereby the stud 89 of the yoke 90 is caused to travel toward the outerupwardly inclined end portionof the slot 88 of the slide 88. This actioncauses an upward movement of the members, 90, 94 and 95 therebydisengaging the roller 103 from the right hand flat side of the cam head98,. as seen in Fig. 10, and restoring the parts 103 and 98 to therelative positions in which they are shown in full lines in Fig. 10. Thechange thus effected in.the relative positions of the parts 98 andLocking means for controllcoer of charging device.

Reverting to the previous suggestion that it is desirable, and in factnecessary,that the charging device'B be prevented from being operated soas to add fresh aggregates to those in the mixer, during the mixingoperation and before emptying of the mixing drum, it will be observedfrom Figs. 11 to 13 that the lever'l controlling theclutch means 41 bywhich the skip B is adapted to be raised is locked against skip raisingactuation by a pivoted locking member 42, see Fig. 13. Furthermore, onthe lever 1 is a dog 43 coii'perative with a toothed sector 44 andforming with the sector a full stroke compelling means for the. lever 1.

For the most efficient operation of the mixing and distributingapparatus it is desirable that just as soon as the discharge chute C hasremained in its discharge position long enough for the discharge of allof the aggregates from the mixer A, the lever 1 be free to be operatedto supply a fresh batch of materials to said mixer. With the above inview there is provided on the shaft 33 by which the chute C is actuateda cam 45, see Fig. 11, which cam impinges and actuates a verticallymovable bar 46, when the chute C moves to its discharging position. Thedownward movement of r the actionof the cam 45 compresses the?normalizing spring 47 surrounding the bar and causes a cam 48 at thelower end of the bar to shift the piston rod 49 connected with thepiston 50 forming a part of any suitable delayed movement connectionintermediate the discharge chute and the'controlling lever 1. p

The piston 50 operates in a cylinder 51 and when moved by the cam 48compresses a spring 52 in said cylinder 51, which spring bears a ainst asecond piston 53. Sufficient energy is thus stored up in the spring 52to force the piston 53 slowly in a rightward di- ':rection as seen inFig. 12, the speed of move- 55 doesfnot impinge and'tilt the lockingmember 42 out of engagement with respect to the lever 41 until theelapse of time sufiicient to permit the chute C to entirely empty themixer A.

As soon as the locking member 42 is disengaged from the lever 1 a spring42 engaging said lever 1 forces the latter a slight distance in thedirection of its skip raising movement so that the full strokecompelling dog 43 is engaged with the sector 44. W henever the operatoris ready to raise the skip B, therefore, the lever 1 must be forced in adirection to throw in the clutch 41, 'completing its stroke. When theskip B is properly elevated and the lever 1 partially released forlowering the skip, the full stroke compelling means 43-44 again comesinto action and necessitates a full return of the lever 1 to itsinactive position in which it becomes locked by the member 42. Thusprovision is made against any possibility that the operator of themachine may disturb the action of the timing mechanism by attempting toraise the skip B without fully lowering the same for the reception of afresh batch of mixed materials.- It may require say thirty seconds. moreor less, for the mixer A to be emptied of its contents by the chute C,such time varying in accordance with the capacity of the mixer, but oncethe valve 54 is adjusted properly it will be impracticable for the lever1 to be manipulated to raise the skip B at any but the proper time,namely after the emptying of the mixer A by the chute C. When themovement of the piston 53 under the action of the spring 50 is completedsaid piston 53 is restored to normal by a spring 56, the latter beingmuch weaker than the spring 52, and the cylinder 52 having anopeningpreventing the formation of an air cushion at the left hand endthereof as seen in Fig. 12.

Restoring 0f the discharge chute to normal.

the elapsed time for the emptying of the mixer-whereby the locking meansfor the sk1p raising lever is released having passed, the only thingremaining in the cycle of operation of the whole machine is therestoration to normal of the discharge chute C. ThlS restoration iseffected as an incident to the raising of the skip or charging device Bfor supplying a fresh batch of aggregates to be mixed in the mixer A.The restoring of the chute C takes place. at the time the skip B engagesand tilts the three armed lever 8, said lever 8 having an additional rodconnection 109, see Fig. 1, leading to a. bell crank 110 which crank isin turn connected by a rod 111 with a second crank 112. The crank 112 isconnected to an-arm 113, see

. Fig. 6, by a rod 114, the arm 113 projecting from the shaft 33 andpreferably being an extension of the lever 32 fixed to said shaft. Therocking of the three armed lever 8 when impinged by the skip B effectsan upward movement of the rod 114 thereby rocking the shaft 33 in adirection opposite to that in which it is moved by the spring 40, untilthe stud 31 on the lever 32 is reengaged by the catch 30, whereupon thecatch locks the chute which is restored to its non-dischargin positionin the above action, against being operated to assume a dischargeposition, until the catch 30 is released in the manner previouslydescribed. It is at the time of the reengagement of the stud 31 and thecatch 30, just referred to, that the crank 81, see Fig. 7, is tilted andthe bolt 73 disengaged from the catch 74 on the rod 68,

an action also previously set forth. Operation of water supply controlame.

In the use of mixing machines of the type to which this inventionappertains it is customary for the operator of the machine to open awater supply valve controlling the admission of a proper amount of waterto the mixer, at the time when the mixer is charged with the aggregatesto be admixed thereby. In carrying out the present invention the aboveoperation, ordinarily manual, is rendered automatic by the provision ofan actuating bar 120, see Figs. 1 and 15, which bar is mounted to slidehorizontally on the framework of the machine through the provision ofany suitable guide means 121. The bar 120 carries an upwardly yieldablegravitative dog 122 adapted to engage a stud 123 upon a valve lever 124connected with a valve 125 located at a suitable point in the length ofa water supply pipe 126. The pipe 126 leads from a water tank 127mounted on the framework of the machine,

referably above the mixer A, to a point just within the charging end ofthe mixer, as seen on reference to Fig. 1. One end of the bar 120 islocated in a osition to be impinged by the lever 8 whlch, it will berecalled, is rocked each'time the skip B is raised.

Thus it is that when the skip B is hoisted so as to charge the mixer Awith a suitable quantity of materials to'be mixed the. rocking of thelever 8 moves the bar 120 longitudinally and causes the dog 122 on saidbar' to engage the stud 123 and thus cor-r actuating movement of the bar120 the dog 122 passes over or escapes the stud 123 so that the valvelever 124 may be gradually returned to its valve closing position underthe action of a spring 128 connected with said lever. The parts 124, 125and 122 are adapted to be operated so as to close the valve 125 afterthe necessary quantity of water is admitted to the mixer.

The actuating bar 120 remains in its actuated position so long as thelever 8 remains in its actuated position but will return to its normalposition under the action of a spring 120 when the lever 8 is releasedat the conclusion of the required time for effecting the mixingoperation. As the bar 120 returns to its normal position the dog 122'yields freely upward and idles over the stud 123 in an obvious manner.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be confined to theparticular automatic means for controlling the opening and closing ofthe water valve 125 since any suitable means may be employed for theabove purpose within the purview of this iny eut ion.

Miscellwneous details.

The purpose of having an adjustable connection such as 87 intermediatethe outer abutment 85 and the shifting rod 86 is' to enable the quickand convenient movement of said abutment 85 along the guide bar 83 aswell as along the rod 86 itself, whereupon the member 85 may be thenpositively connected with the rod 86. In this way the point where thereversal of the cable and dumping of the bucket E automatically iseffected may be varied at will. This is desirable because obviously itis re uired that the bucket E be dumped at di erent distances from themachine in accordance with the manner in which the work of laying apavement or other plastic base progresses.

While I have described above a suitable arrangement for controlling anadjustment of the abutment 85 whereby to eflfect dumping of the bucket Eat different points in the length of the boom D, other constructions maybe used for this particular purpose. If desired, indeed, the abutment 85might be shifted lengthwise of the boom D through the provision of powermeans, as for instance a screw engaging said abutment and operableeither directly or indirectly from the shaft which is constantly driven,any suitable manual device being utilized to control the drivingconnection whereby the operator may cause shifting of the abutment 85 tothe desired point of bucket dumping action.

It is notable that the boom D is intended to swing about a vertical axisdesignated 107 in Fig. 6, suitable means for movin the boom in ahorizontal plane about sai axis being provided and substantially thesame as described in certain Letters Patent noted herein. 4

Owing to this peculiar movement of the boom which may approximate an arcof 180 degrees, it is needful that the arm 94 be constructed offrame-like or skeleton forma:

'tion as seen in Figs. 4 and 6 so that when the boom shifts horizontallythe cable 63 will not be interfered with b reason of the provision ofthe arm 94 'sposed trans versely to 'said cable.

Likewise it is contemplated that the boom D be susceptible of verticalmovement about a horizontal axis which is designated 108 and seen bestin Fig. 5 though illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 6. On account ofthis particular movement of the boom the st d 89 of the yoke 90 islocated concentric or coaxial with the axis 108 so that said stud willalways remain in a proper position in the slot 88 of the slide 88irrespective of the particular angle which said slide 88 may assume asan incident to being raised or lowered with the boom D.

In regard to certain operating connections hereinbefore described,especially those involving the locking and releasing of the operatingmeans for the loading skip and the discharge chute, it may be noted thatsaid connections will preferably be properly housed or inclosed wherenecessary in order that unauthorized interference with the operation ofsaid connections may be provided against.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is p 1. Incombination, a mixer, means for charging said mixer with materials to beadmixed thereby, means for discharging the mixer, and means forcompelling emptying of the mixer by said discharge means before thecharging means may be operated a second time to introduce a fresh supplyof materials to be mixed in the mixer.

2. In combination, a mixer, means for charging said mixer with a batchof materials to be mixed therein, discharging means for the mixer,control means intermediate said discharging means and the charging meanswhereby to prevent a second opera tion of the charging means until thesaid discharging means has been operated,-

3. In combination, a mixer, means for charging said mlxer with a batchof mate-' rials to be mlxed therein, discharging means for the mixer,control means intermediatesaid discharging means and the charging meanswhereby to prevent a second operav tion of the charging means until thesaid discharging means has been operated, and automatic means foroperating .said. discharging means at a predetermined time after thematerials have been introduced into the mixer by the charging means.

4. In combination, a mixer, means for charging said mixer with a batchof materials to be mixed therein, discharging means for the mixer,control means intermediate said discharging means and the charging meanswhereby to prevent a second operation of the charging means until thesaid discharging means has been operated, automatic mechanism foroperating said discharging ineans at a predetermined time after thematerials have been introduced into the mixer by the charging means, andcontrol means intermediate the charging means and the mechanism abovementioned.

5. In combination, a mixer, a charging device for said mixer, adischarging device for the mixer, means for preventing charging of themixer by the charging device, and control means intermediate saiddischarging device and the charging device operable to render saidpreventing means inactive after the discharging device has remained indischarging position a sufficient time to discharge the contents of themixer.

6., In combination, a mixer, a charging device for said mixer, adischarging device for the mixer, means for preventing operation or" thecharging device, and control means intermediate the discharging deviceand the charging device for governing the action of said preventingmeans and comprising a delayed movement connection operable by movementof the discharge device to" discharge position to render the saidpreventing means inactive only after the discharging device has remainedin its discharging position a predetermined length so that the chargingdevice may be released for operation on the expiration of such time,and-automatic means for operating said discharging device' 8. Incombination, a mixer, a charging device for said mixer, a dischargingdevice for the mixer, means for preventing operation of the chargingdevice, control means intermediate thedischarging device and thecharging device for governing the action of said preventing means andcomprising a delayed movement connection operable by movement of thedischarge device to discharge position to render-the said preventingmeans inactive only after the discharging device has remained in itsdischarging position a predetermined length of time, so that thecharging device may be released for operation on the expiration of suchtime, automatic means, for operating said discharging device, and meansintermediate the charging device and said automatic means whereby theaction of the latter is controlled by the charging device.

9. In combination, a mixer, a charging device'for said mixer, adischarging device for the mixer, means for preventing operation of thecharging device, control means intermediate the discharging device andthe charging device for governing the action of said preventing meansand comprising a delayed movement connection operable by movement of thedischarge device to discharge osition to render the said preventingmeans inactive only after the discharging device has remained in itsdischarging position a predetermined length of time, so that thecharging device may be released for operation on the expirationof suchtime,

ing device therefor, automatic means for moving'said discharging devicefrom nondischarging to discharging position, a charging device forintroducing materials into the mixer, means intermediate said chargingdevice and the said automatic means whereby one is controlled from theother, and means intermediate the discharging device and the chargingdevice whereby the operation of the latter is controlledt'rom thedischarging device.

12. In combination, a mixer, a discharging device therefor, automaticmeans for moving said dischargingdevice from'nondischarging todischarging position, a

1 charging device for introducing materials into the mixer, meansintermediate said charging device and the said automatic means wherebyone is controlled from the other, preventing means coacting with thecharging device to'prevent its operation until the dischar ing devicehas remained in non-dischargmg position a predetermined time, and meansfor rendering said preventing means lnactlve after the dischargmg device has assumed and remained in discharging position a sufficientperiod of time to cause emptying of the mixer.

13. In combination, a mixer, a dlscharging device therefor. normally innon-discharging position, a charging device for in-' troducing materialsinto the mixer to be mixed thereby, means for automatically operatingsaid dlscharglng device, and means intermediate the chargmg device andsald discharging device for restoring the latter to non-dischargingposition.

14. In combination, a mixer, a discharging device therefor normallydisposed in non-discharging position, a charging device for introducingmaterials into the mixer, automatic means for causing the dischargingdevice to assumedischarging position, and mechanism governing the actionof said automatic means and controlled by 16. In combination, a mixer, adischarging device therefor, a controlling mechanism, automatic meansfor moving the discharge device to discharging position and governed bysaid time controlled mechanism, a charging device for the mixer, andmeans intermediate said charging device and the controlling mechanism togovern the action of the latter and intermediate the charging device andthe dischargingdevice for restoring the latter to-non-dischargingposition after it has been actuated by said automatic means.

17. In combination, a mixer, a discharging device therefor, acontrolling mechacharge' device to discharging nism, automatic means formoving the disosition and governed by said time controlle mechanism, acharging dcvice for the mixer, means intermediate said charging deviceand the controlling mechanism to govern the action of the latter andintermediate the charging device and the discharging device forrestoring the latter to non-discharging position after it has beenactuated by said antomatic means, lock means for preventing operation ofthe charging device until the discharging device has remained indischarging position a suflicient time to empty the mixer of itscontents, and means controlled by said discharging device "for renderingsaid lock means inactive.

18. In combination, a mixer, a discharge therefor, locking means forsaid discharge to maintain the same inactive to perform its function,charging means for the mixer, a time controlled mechanism governed bythe charging means and cooperating Wit said locking means ,to releasethe discharge therefromafter suflicient time has elapsed for properadmixture of materials introduced into the mixer by the charging device,locking means for preventing operation of the charging device until thesaid discharge has been rendered active and remained active a suflicienttime to empty the materials the admixture of which is completelyeffected by the mixer.

19. In combination, a mixer, a discharge therefor, locking means forsaid discharge to maintain the same inactive to perform its function,charging means for the mixer, a time controlled mechanism governed bythe charging means and cooperating with said locking means to releasethe discharge therefrom after sufiicient time has elapsed for properadmixture of materials introduced into the mixer by the charging device,locking means for preventing operation of the charging device until thesaid discharge has been rendered active and remained active a sufiicienttime to. empty the materials the admixture of which is completelyeffected by the mixer, and operating connections intermediate saidcharging device and the discharge -for causing restoration of the latterto inactive condition.

20. In combination, a mixer a discharge therefor, locking means for saiddischarge to maintain the same inactive to perform its function,charging means for the mixerfa time controlled mechanism governed by thecharging means and cooperating with said locking means to release thedischarge therefrom after sufiicient time has elapsed for properadmixture of materials introduced into the mixer by the charging device,lockingmeans for preventing operation of the charging device until thesaid discharge has been rendered active and remained active a cratingthe discharge governed controlled mechanism.

sufiicient time to empty the' materials'the lever, a second leveroperable by the chargadmixture of which is completely effected by themixer, operating connections intermediate said charging device and thedischarge for causing restoration of the latter to inactive condition,and automatiomea-ns for opby the time 21. In combination, a mixer, adischarg ing device for the mixer, a charging device ing' deviceconnected with the time controlled mechanism to govern the action of thelatter, operating connections between said second lever and thedischarge chute whereby to restore the latter to inactive or therefor, atime controlled mechanism,.

means to controlaction of the time controlled mechanism from thecharging device, automatic means forrendering the discharging deviceactive and comprising a motor, lock means for preventing dischargingaction of the discharging device adapted means with respect to saiddischarging device.

- 22. In combination, a mixer, a discharging device for the mixer, acharging device therefor, a time controlled mechanism, means to controlaction of the time controlled mechanism from the charging device,automatic means for rendering the discharging device active andcomprising a motor,

' lock means for preventing discharging action of the discharging deviceadapted to be released by said time controlled mechanism, operatingconnections adapted to be shifted in the movement of the chargingdevicefor restoring the discharging device to non-discharging positionand reestablishing the locking relation of said lock means with respectto said discharging device,- a second lock means preventing operation ofthe charging device while materials introduced into the mixer therebyare being mixechand a delayed movement connection intermediate thedischarging device and the second lock means whereby the latter will bereleased to permit operation of the charging device when the dischargingdevice has been released and remained in discharging position sufliciently long to cause emptying of the mixed materials from the mixer.

' charging device including a main operating non-discharging position asan incident to operation of the charging device, other looking meanscooperating with said main operating lever to prevent operation ofthecharging device, and a delayed movement operating connection operablefrom the discharge chute and adapted to release the last mentionedlocking means after the discharge chute has remained in its dischargingposition-sufliciently long to cause'emptying of the mixer of thematerials previously introduced thereinto by the charging device.-

QL-In combination, distributing means comprising a boom, a bucketadapted to traverse said boom, operating means for said .bucket, adischarge by which'thebucket is supplied, and means intermediate saiddischarge and the bucket operating means for controllingthe latterfromthe.discharge.

2 5. In combination,- distributing means .for distributing materialsincluding a boom,

a bucket adapted to travel on said b0om back and forth, operating meansfor said bucket for moving the same away, dumping the bucket andreturning the bucket, and discharging means by which the bucket issupplied cooperative with said operating means for the bucket to causecomplete action of said operatingmeans.

2 6. In combination, distributing means comprising a boom and a bucketadapted to travel back and forth on said boom, operating means forsaid'bucket comprising instrumentalities to move the bucket back andforth and to dump the bucket during its movement and including a cableconnected with the bucket, and clutch mechanism governing the operationof said cable, and a discharge chute to supply the bucket coact' ingwith said clutch mechanism for throwing the latter into operation.

27. In combination, a mixer, a discharging device for the mixer,distributing means for materialsmixed by the mixer including a supportand a bucket adapted to travel on said support toward and from themixer, operating means for said bucket to cause said movement of thebucket and dumping of the bucket. a charging device for the mixer,mechanism controlled by said charg ing device for causing automaticoperation of said discharging device whereby the lat- I ter willdischarge the contents of the mixer into the distributing bucket, andmeans operable by said discharging device for setting in operation theoperating means for the distributing bucket. r

28. In combination, a mixer, a discharging device for the mixer,distributing means for materials mixed by the mixer including a supportand a bucket adapted to travel on said support toward and from themixer, operating 'means for said bucket to cause said movement of thebucket and dumping of the bucket, a charging device for the mixer,mechanism controlled by said charglng device for causing automaticoperation of said discharging device whereby the latter will dischargethe contents of the mixer into the distributing bucket, and means,operable by said discharging device for setting in operation theoperating means for the distributing bucket after said dischargingdevice has remained in discharging position sufliciently long to emptythe contents movement of the bucket and dumping of the bucket, acharging device for the mixer, mechanism controlled by said chargingdevice for causing automatic operation of said discharging devicewhereby the latter w1ll discharge the contents of the mixer into thedistributing bucket, means operable by said dischargingdevice forsetting in operation the operating means for the distributing I bucketafter said discharging device has remained in discharging positionsufiiciently long to empty the contents of the mixer into thedistributing bucket, and means'operable by the charging a device forrestoring the discharging device to non-discharging position.

30. In combination, a mixer, a discharging device for the mixer,distributing means for materials mixed by the mixer including a supportand a bucket adapted to travel on said support toward and from themixer, operating means for said bucket to cause said movement of thebucket and dumping of the bucket, a charging device for the mixer,mechanism controlled by said charging device for causing automaticoperation of said discharging device whereby the latter will dischargethe contents of the mixer into the distributing bucket, means operableby said discharging device for setting in operation the operating meansfor the distributing bucket after said discharging device has remainedin discharging position sufficiently long to empty the contents of themixer into the distributing bucket, means operable by the chargingdevice for restoring the discharging device to non-discharging positionas an incident to operation of the charging device for charging themixer, locking means preventing operation of said charging device, andmeans'controlled from the discharging device for rendering said lockofdeposit, operating mechanism for moving said bucket along the supportand for causmg dumping of the -contents of the same, locking mechanismfor holding the discharging device in non-discharging position, a timecontrolled mechanism for releasing the locking mechanism and permittingthe discharging device to assume discharge position after sufficienttime has elapsed to properly mix materials introduced into the mixer, acharging device for the mixer, means intermediate the charging deviceand said time controlled mechanism governing the operation of thelatter, means intermediate the discharging device and the operatingmeans for said bucket for causing operation of said operating meansafter the discharging device has reached and remained in dischargingposition a suiiicient time to empty the contents of the mixer into thebucket, preventing means for preventing operation of the charging devicewhile materials introduced into the mixer thereby are being mixed, andinstrumentalities intermediate the discharging device and saidpreventing means to render the latter inactive after suliicient time haselapsed for the discharge of the materials into the bucket by thedischarging device.

32. In combination, a mixer, a discharging device therefor, automaticmeans for operating the discharging device, distributing meanscomprising a support associated with the mixer and a bucket adapted totravel along said support to carry mixed materials delivered from themixer to a suitable point of deposit, operating mechanism for movingsaid bucket along the support and for causing dumping cf the contents ofthe same, locking mechanism for holding the discharging device innon-discharging position, a time controlled mechanism for releasing thelocking mechanism and permit ting the discharging deviceto assumedischarge position after sufiicient time has elapsed to properly mixmaterials introduced into the mixer, a charging device for the mixer,means intermediate the charging device and said time controlledmechanism governing the operation of the-latter, means intermediate thedischarging device and the operating meansfor said bucket for causingoperation of said operating means after the discharging device hasreached and remained in discharging position a sufficient time to emptythe contents of the mixer into the bucket, preventing means forpreventing operation of the charging device while materials introducedinto the mixer thereby are being mixed, instrumentalities intermediateing device to its non-discharging position.

33. In combination, a mixer and operatmg means therefor, means wherebysaid mixer may be discharged,means whereby said mixer may be charged anddischarged,

and means for compelling emptying of the r mixer previous to thecharging of the same by said charging means.

34. A mixing machine ofthe type comprising charging and discharginginstrumentalities combined with means for operating the charginginstrumentality, and means whereby a discharging action of thedischarging instrumentality is made necessary previous to subsequentcharging operation of the charging instrimientaiity.

35. in combination, a mixer, a discharging devicetherefor, a chargmgdevice therefor, and means intermediate said charging device anddischarging device whereby to operate the discharging device to causethe latter to efiectdischarge action of the mixer,

and to also operate said discharging device so as to prevent dischargingaction of the mixer.

36. In combination, a mixer. a discharging device therefor, a chargingdevice therefor, means intermediate said charging device and dischargingdevice whereby to operate the dischargingdevice to cause the 1 latter toeffect discharge action of the mixer, I and to also operate saiddischarging device so as to prevent discharging action of the mixer.

37. A mixing machine of the type comprising a mixer and means wherebysaid mixer may be charged and discharged, combined with controllingdevices necessitating an operation of the mixer discharging meanssubsequent to each operation of the charging means, and for maintainingsaid mixer discharging means in effective action long enough. todischarge the contents of the mixer.

38. A mixing machine of the type comprising a mixer and means wherebysaid mixer may be charged and discharged, combined with cont-rollingdevices necessitating an operation of the mixer discharging meanssubsequent to each operation of the charging means, and for maintainingsaid mixer discharging means in efiective action long enough todischarge the contents of the with means for rendering means ineffectivefrom themachine of the type com therefor, Water supply means therefor,distributing mechanism adapted to receive materials from the dischargeof the mixer, charging means for the mixer, a main actuator, controlmeans operable by said main actuator for effecting operation of thecharging device, and instrumentalities 0perable successively as anincident to the operation of said charging device by the main actuatorfor causing water to be supplied to the mixer from the water supplymeans as an incident to the charging of the mixer by the chargingdevice, to lock the discharge against operation until a predeterminedtime for completion of the mixing action in the mixer has elapsed and tothen operate the discharge to cause the mixed materials to be suppliedto the distributing means, and to then cause operation of saiddistributing means and to finally effect normalization of all the parts.

41. In combination, a mixer, a discharge ator for causing water to besupplied to the mixer from the Water supply means as an incident to thecharging of the mixer by the charging device, to lock the dischargeagainst operation until a predetermined time for completion of themixing action in the mixer has elapsed'and to then operate the dischargeto cause the mixed materials to be supplied to the distributing means,and to then cause operation of said distributing means and to finallyell'ect normalization of all the parts', means for locking said mainactuator-against operation after charging of the mixer, means toautomatically release said locking means after the complete discharge ofthe contentsof the mixer, and full-stroke compelling mechanismcooperative with said main actuator,

'dischargingto discharging position, and

time controlled mechanism governing the of said charging device by themain actu-

